Home NEWS Why Nigeria’s Elites Are Angry With Buhari, By Agbakoba

Why Nigeria’s Elites Are Angry With Buhari, By Agbakoba

Human rights lawyer and former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has seen the ideological shift to the left by the government of Muhammadu Buhari as a source of anger for the Nigeria’s elites, even as he warned the President to beware of such elites.

The lawyer, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos, on the state of the nation, said that since May 29, there has been an economic correction in the country, as well as an ideological shift to the left to serve the people’s interest.

According to him, the implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA), quality of the ministers, the blocking of finance leakages, social regulations, benefits and stimulus strategy, like paying employment benefits, keeping the oil subsidy, at least in the short term, and the zero tolerance for corruption, are evidences that President Buhari fully understands the enormous challenges facing the country.

“I want to warn President Buhari about the conspiracy of the elite and its resolve to frustrate his reform agenda. This elite class, made up of people in high positions in the religious circles, traditional institutions, professions and businesses, represents a small percent of Nigerians but exert tremendous influence, with a view to state capture.

“This class is very dissatisfied about the ideological change of Buhari’s administration. They see the new agenda as a threat to their privileges. As set out below, they are the greatest roadblocks to President Buhari’s economic and political policy agenda.”

Agbakoba said however, that the reform is yet to be felt, and advised President Buhari to avoid communication lethargy in 2016 and that he must clearly carry the people along to inspire hope, followership, confidence and practice.

He advised Buhari to create an Office for Strategic Communication to link government with the people.

“There is no need to have two Press Secretaries. One may be assigned to head the Office of Strategic Communication, while the other should cover the President’s diaries,” he said. [myad]